Garrick Theatre (Melbourne) Explained

The Garrick Theatre was a theatre in the former Aikman Street, near Princes Bridge, in the Southbank area of Melbourne, Australia.

It opened in 1912 as the Snowden Picture Theatre.^[1] In 1916, it was renovated as The Playhouse, a legitimate theatre with stalls and a dress circle seating around 770 for the Melbourne Repertory Theatre.^{[2] [3]} J. Beresford Fowler played Ibsen in 1922 and Nellie Melba sang there. In 1933 it was purchased by S. Perry and the name changed to the Garrick Theatre where it hosted productions by the Gregan McMahon Players and producer F. W. Thring.

It was put up for auction in February 1937 but failed to attract a bid,^[4] then closed in 1937 after the site was sold to Australian Paper Manufacturers Limited.^[5] The final play was Milestones, performed on August 7, 1937, with the theatre dismantled shortly thereafter.^[6]

The theatre's seating was donated for use in the University of Melbourne's Union Theatre.^{[7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. News: Snowden Picture Theatre . . 20,679 . Victoria, Australia . 1 November 1912 . 10 June 2018 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: Repertory Theatre — Opening of The Playhouse . . 19,102 . Victoria, Australia . 12 June 1916 . 10 June 2018 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Repertory Players in New Home . . [?]12 . Victoria, Australia . 15 June 1916 . 10 June 2018 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Garrick Theatre Offered: No Bid . . 18,651 . Victoria, Australia . 24 February 1937 . 18 May 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Garrick Theatre Sold For £17,500 . . 18729 . Victoria, Australia . 27 May 1937 . 10 June 2018 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
6. Web site: Milestones Revived. The Age. 7 August 1937.
7. Web site: History Melbourne University Student Theatre Archive. must.unimelb.edu.au. en-US. 2018-06-10.
8. Web site: Gift to University Union.. The Age. July 27, 1937.